Amidst the eruption of rock bands in the L.A. scene during the mid ‘80s came Warrior, a band of five young men focused on one thing – the creation of unrepentant heavy metal. Their first release, 'Fighting for the Earth' (MCA 1985 – later reissued by Metal Blade), established the group’s penchant for mature songwriting and diverse guitar work. Critics immediately responded, calling Warrior the Californian counterpart to Florida’s Savatage. The title track received extensive radio coverage, helping the band land the opening slot on the West Coast leg of Iron Maiden’s legendary World Slavery Tour. After some initial success, the band soon found themselves victims of the changing music scene and anti-heavy metal sentiment from commercial outlets like MTV. Guitarist and mainstay Joe Floyd opened a studio, as he was eager to expand his repertoire and experiment with new sounds and techniques. After several years of diligent work, Joe made a name for himself and his studio, Silver Cloud, by working on some of today’s biggest metal releases, including engineering two of Bruce Dickinson’s most recognized efforts ('Accident of Birth' and 'The Chemical Wedding') and Rob Halford’s comeback release, 'Resurrection'. While doing studio work full-time, Joe got the itch to once again make his own music. 'Ancient Future' (Metal Blade) hit in 1998. Album number two combined the tradition of mid ‘80s American metal with the stylistic elements that approached a more modern, late ‘90s sound.
FIGHTING
FOR THE EARTH (1985, 1991) METAL BLADE (CDR)
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Line-up: Joe Floyd - Guitar Parramore McCarty - Vocals Tommy Asakawa - Guitar Liam Jason - Drums Rick Bennett - Bass Additional musicians: Bruce Turgon -
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Warrior is a band as legendary as they can get in the metal circuit, without being a well known act. They released their first album in 1985, and soon enjoyed a cult following. But despite getting rave reviews, and even getting the title track aired on MTV, the band couldn't get it together to record a sophomore effort. And when the musical climate changed in the US, the band was laid to rest. And even though Metal Blade Records reissued the album in 1991, 'Fighting For The Earth' remains today one of the most sought after metal gems on the planet, highly overdue for a new re-release. "So what's the music like then?", you might ask. Warrior play heavy metal in the vain of old Savatage meets Loudness, with some Krokus thrown in (especially in "Welcome Aboard"). There is nothing overtly technical with this band, and that is the way it should be. They are simply a heavy metal act, with every thing that goes with it. Back in the days they even had that all too familiar "Mad Max" look. But who am I to complain? I love this kind of stuff. Nothing better than a band that can record a metal anthem like "Fighting For The Earth"! Joe Floyds staccato riffs and Parramore McCarty's raspy voice does the trick for this old metalhead! Too bad that this gem is so hard to find on CD, so for now I'll hold me over with a CDR.
Killer tracks: Fighting For The Earth, Only The Strong Survive, Defenders Of Creation, Day Of The Evil (Beware), Cold Fire
ANCIENT
FUTURE (1998) METAL BLADE
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Line-up: Joe Floyd - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Bass Parramore McCarty - Lead Vocals Mick Perez - Guitar, Keys, Backing Vocals Dave DuCey - Drums, Backing Vocals Sam - Bass, Backing Vocals Additional musicians: Roy Z - Guitar, Bass Jorge Palacios - Drums Eddie Casillas - Bass |
After over 10 years in hiatus, Warrior returns. And what do you know, 'Ancient Future', while being a much heavier effort than it's predecessor, still sounds like the natural follow up to 'Fighting For The Earth'. Much thanks to vocalist Parramore McCarty's signature voice, I reckon. "Tonight We Ride" actually sounds like it could have been written in 1985! The music in general has had a "face-lift" so to speak, and now the band is playing "modern" US power metal. And although he didn't produce it, I am certain that Roy Z (Rob Rock, Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford) has had a tremendous influence on both the songs and the sound on this record. 'Ancient Future' might be the darkest album the band have released, but at the same time it is rather melodic in nature. This is much due to Joe guitar playing. Also noticeable is the song "Who Sane?", a tune about Iraq's Saddam, written long before the fall of the Twin Towers, and the invasion if Iraq. Another stand out track is the power ballad "Learn To Love". I'm not sure that Parramore's go at more melodic and clean vocal style works all that well. Still, all in all, this is another choice power metal album.
Killer tracks: Fight Or Fall, Who Sane?, Tonight We Ride, Power, White Mansions, The Rush
THE
CODE OF LIFE (2001) NUCLEAR BLAST
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Line-up: Joe Floyd - Guitars Rob Rock - Vocals Mick Perez - Guitars Dave DuCey - Drums Simon Oliver - Bass Additional musicians: Rich Carrette - Solo on 9 |
'The Code Of Life' sees the band return 3 years after the initial reunion. This time original vocalist Parramore McCarty is replaced with vocalist extraordinaire, Rob Rock. The man is so multitalented, it is no surprise that Joe went with him as the new singer for his Warrior. Roy Z helped Joe a lot on the reunion album, and he is also involved here too. My guess is that it was him that brought Joe's attention towards Rob. The result is a strong album that has Roy Z, Rob Rock and Joe Floyd written all over it. In fact, the only thing missing here is Roy's signature production. There is nothing wrong with the production, but if you have heard any of the other albums Roy has been behind the wheels on, you will know what I mean. The songs are heavier then with prior Warrior releases. And although I really liked Paramore's votive, Rob is in a league of his own. I think this is the singers most varied delivery yet. 'The Code Of Life' is power metal through and through.
Killer tracks: Day Of The Reckoning, Kill The Machine, We Are One, Code Of Life, Retribution
THE
WARS OF GODS AND MEN (2004) REALITY ENTERTAINMENT
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Line-up: Joe Floyd - Guitars Mark Storace - Vocals Dave DuCey - Drums Rob Farr - Bass Additional musicians: Mike Miller - Guitar on 3, 5, 8, 9
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Another 3 years have past since the last album. Warrior is becoming an ever revolving door for band members. This time they have yet another new set of pipes behind the microphone. This time it is Krokus' own Mark Storace that is lending his talent to Joe Floyd's constellation. At first this sounded like an odd match, at best. But fact is, this works really well. And why shouldn't it? Remember, I actually likened parts of the first Warrior album to that of the Krokus of the 80's. Regardless of line-up, 'The Wars Of Gods And Men' is Warrior as we know them; heavy as stink, and with tunes to die for! Joe Floyd is simply a metal warrior like no others. There are some songs that are a bit unusual for this band, so 'The Wars Of Gods And Men' might not be exactly what you'd expect from Joe and the boys. It is certainly the Warrior album I listen to the least. There are just too many experimental things going on here and there. But the songs I do like are all top class tunes from one of the unsung heroes of US power metal.
Killer tracks: The Wars Of Gods And Men, Do It Now, Mars, Unseen Forces
Joe Floyd guest appearances:
Steel Prophet - 'Dark Hallucinations'
Steel Prophet - 'Book Of The Dead'
Destiny's End - 'Transition' (as producer and engineer)
Wayne - 'Metal Church' (as producer)
Rob Rock guest appearances:
Powergod - 'Bleed For The Godz - That's Metal Lesson 1'
Laudamus - 'Lost In Vain'
Frost - 'Raise Your Fist To Metal'
Related artists:
Rob Rock, Impellitteri, Joshua, Angelica, Axel Rudi Pell, Avantasia, Fires Of Babylon
